Texas Democrats Gear Up for 2024 Senate Race Against Ted Cruz

Texas Democrats are gearing up for the 2024 election, with hopes of unseating U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. However, before they can take on Cruz in the general election, they must first decide on a candidate to represent the party in the Democratic primary. With early voting already underway, voters will have nine names to choose from in the U.S. Senate contest.

The frontrunners in the race are State Sen. Roland Gutierrez from San Antonio and Congressman Colin Allred from Dallas. Both candidates have been favored by Democratic voters, but recent polling from the Texas Politics Project suggests that either candidate would face an uphill battle against Cruz.

Congressman Colin Allred, a former professional football player and current lawyer, has focused his campaign on issues such as voting rights, health care, jobs, and abortion rights. He has vowed to vote to codify Roe v. Wade if elected to the U.S. Senate, and has taken controversial stances on issues like the Israel-Hamas War and border policies.

On the other hand, State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, an immigration lawyer, has positioned himself as the most progressive candidate in the race. He has called for a federal ban on assault weapons, a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War, and a single-payer health insurance system. Gutierrez believes that his progressive stance is what could make him the right fit to defeat Cruz in the general election.

Despite their confidence in being able to beat Cruz, both Gutierrez and Allred face a tough challenge. Recent polls show Cruz easily beating both candidates in a one-on-one faceoff. With nine Democrats running in the primary, it is unlikely that either candidate will secure the nomination outright, leading to a potential runoff election on May 28.

As the primary election heats up, Texas Democrats are eagerly watching to see who will emerge as the party’s candidate to take on Ted Cruz in what is expected to be a closely watched and highly contested race in 2024.